Home Canning and Preservation

Oh how I love our neighborhood produce market. I never know what I’m going to find there, but I go at least once a week to check out the deals and stock up on organic produce for half the price of conventional stuff at the regular grocery store. Last weekend I found 6 oz packages [...]

The local produce market I shop at every week always has some amazing deals. A few weeks ago HUGE boxes of Florida oranges were only $2.98, and as I wrote about before I once scored 11 pounds of orange peppers for just $1.00. This week’s super deal was 6 oz containers of organic blackberries for [...]

For the past couple months Trader Joe’s has had a shortage of almond butter. Lately my husband has been using it every day in a smoothie, so the shortage at TJ’s was becoming an issue! Ha! I’m not sure why I continued to buy almond butter when we’ve prepared homemade peanut butter for so many [...]

Chicago has enjoyed a spectacular September. Refreshingly cool mornings, sunny afternoons and sneaky 80 degree days scattered throughout. As someone who laments the end of summer, this slow entry into autumn makes me very happy. Last weekend we decided to take full advantage of the delightful fall weather and spend a morning at the idyllic [...]

I’m so happy! The farmers markets are back in Chicago! This weekend, Chris took Vivian and Mack while I enjoyed some much needed quiet time at home with Evie. The three of them brought home a bounty of fresh romaine lettuce, asparagus and a good bundle of rhubarb. I used three rhubarb stalks to bake [...]

Last week the Breast Cancer Fund released a report about concerning levels of BPA in many prepared Thanksgiving foods. BPA, an estrogenic chemical linked to breast cancer, is most often found in plastics (one of many reasons I try to avoid plastic altogether). However, BPA is also found in other surprising places like grocery store [...]

We love love love roast chicken. Especially on a Sunday evening when the house has been calm all day and I’m happy to unwind with a cozy meal. I buy delicious free-range chickens from our wonderful co-op, and every roast chicken comes out of the oven juicy and flavorful even when I season with nothing [...]

I’ve become such a geek about canning fresh fruits and vegetables. I live in the middle of downtown Chicago, so I lack the space to grow my own produce. But, I am happy to make do with what our neighborhood farmer’s market has to offer. Last summer I bought a big bag of discounted ugly [...]

Ever since I taught myself how to preserve fresh foods the old-fashioned way last summer, I’ve been obsessed. It is such a rewarding way to spend a quiet summer afternoon. I swear my heart skips a beat when I hear the tops of the jars “pop!”, signaling that the food within is now safe and [...]

My husband called me from work yesterday with a very urgent message: “Organic blueberries are on sale at Whole Foods for $1.99 a pint! Go there. Now. Before they’re gone!!” He knows me so well. A deal like this would be hard for most moms to pass up, but since I am a total organic [...]

Homemade Mothering is a movement that aims to simplify life and foster self-reliance while being kinder to our families and the planet. Its about encouraging people to get back to the basics when it comes to mothering and homekeeping.